Peltier is set to captain Leeds against his old boss Rafa Benitez in their bid to cause a shock by booking a place in the last four of the Capital One Cup.

The 26-year-old former Liverpool defender has been struggling with a groin problem most of the season and Warnock will leave it up to him to decide whether he figures at Elland Road.

Despite the huge prize on offer for Leeds in their first clash with Chelsea in eight-and-a-half years, promotion back to the Premier League is their main aim.

And Warnock admits he won’t be happy if Peltier declares himself fit for tonight, only to miss Saturday’s Championship clash with third-placed Middlesbrough.

Boss Warnock said: “Lee’s struggled for the last few weeks with his groin, so I’ll probably leave it down to him.

“To be honest, I had no intention of playing him against Chelsea, but I know all the lads are desperate to play, so I’ll leave it up to Lee to tell me if he’s right because he’s a sensible lad.

“He was touch and go at the weekend, and I don’t want him to play on Wednesday and then not be available for Saturday because that’s a massive game for us.

“I don’t want him risking himself, whatever the importance of the game.”

There will be plenty of spice on the touchline, with Warnock still blaming ex-Liverpool boss Benitez for his relegation with Sheffield United in 2007.

Peltier could be forgiven for holding a similar grudge after Benitez showed him the door at Anfield five-and-a-half years ago at the start of a career that has taken him to Hull, Yeovil, Huddersfield and Leicester, before arriving at Elland Road in the summer.

But he insists he has nothing to prove to his old boss, who Peltier insists played a major role in his early development.

Benitez handed him his Liverpool debut plus a chance to sample life in the Champions League before branching out in search of first-team football after failing to make a Premier League appearance for his hometown club.

He said: “I was at Liverpool for 10 years and worked under Rafa for much of that time.

“He gave me my debut so I’ve got a lot of respect for him and a lot to thank him for. I can’t remember what he said to me when that debut came round.

“To be fair, I think he pulled me aside after a training session and said I’d be playing.

“It was a Carling Cup game and he said he’d give me a chance.

“He’s come in for a bit of flak from Chelsea fans, but I’m sure he can deal with it. Just look at his CV, it speaks volumes.

“He’s a manager with plenty of experience and he’s been around a long, long time, so I’m sure he won’t let that get to him.”